Career Decision-making Difficulties Research Articles

The Influence of Career Construction Theory on College Students’ Career Decision-Making Difficulties and Gender Differences

This study investigates the causal relationship between proactive personality, career flexibility, career exploration, and challenges in professional decision-making while considering the contextual factor of gender within the framework of Career Construction Theory. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire administered to a total of 726 students from three institutions in Jiangxi Province, China. Structural equation modeling analysis yielded the following results: 1. Proactive personality negatively affects difficulties in career decision-making. 2. Proactive personality impacts career decision-making challenges through its influence on career adaptability. 3. A proactive personality affects career decision-making difficulties by shaping career exploration. 4. Proactive personality influences career decision-making challenges through the sequential mediation of career adaptability and career exploration. 5. Gender differences are evident within the career construction model, resulting in variations in its constituent elements. These findings contribute to the advancement of Career Construction Theory in higher education and guide college students in their career-planning endeavors. Received: 1 August 2024 / Accepted: 31 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Development and Validation of the Career Counseling Outcome Questionnaire in Two Clinical Settings

This study reports the development and initial validation of the Career Counseling Outcome Questionnaire (CCOQ) in two individual career counseling settings using a college sample ( n = 1,140) and a community sample ( n = 161). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed five correlated factors in both samples: (a) knowledge of the career decision-making process (4 items), (b) knowledge of the self (3 items), (c) knowledge of career information (3 items), (d) anxiety towards career decision-making (3 items), and (e) career undecidedness (2 items). The CCOQ scale scores changed in the expected theoretical direction during the career counseling interventions and did not change when clients were not receiving counseling. Except for anxiety, all CCOQ subscales predicted satisfaction with the career decision twelve months after counseling. The CCOQ total score predicted satisfaction with the decision twelve months after counseling, over and beyond a widely used instrument assessing sources of career decision difficulties (i.e. the Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire; CDDQ). Career counselors could use the CCOQ to monitor the effectiveness of their interventions in complement to diagnostic measures such as the CDDQ.

Choosing as a Freelancer: What should Gen Z prepare for?

Purpose: This study aims to explore the factors influencing Generation Z’s decision to pursue a career as freelancers, particularly focusing on student workers. The research seeks to understand the reasons behind their career choices and assess their readiness for freelancing as a career path.Method: The study employs a descriptive quantitative research design, utilizing a survey method. The population consists of 45 respondents working as freelancers at PT Melia Sehat Sejahtera in Jakarta. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire adapted from the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). The data were analyzed using simple calculations with Likert scoring.Findings: The results indicate that Generation Z prioritizes immediacy in their career decisions, viewing freelancing as a practical solution to current challenges and a personal choice aligned with their individual needs and preferences. The findings highlight the importance of flexibility and independence in their career readiness.Novelty: This study contributes to the limited literature on Generation Z’s career choices, particularly in freelancing, by providing empirical insights into the motivations and readiness of student workers entering the freelance market.Implications: The results have implications for career development programs and policy-makers, offering valuable information for creating strategies that support Generation Z in their transition to freelance careers. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing training and resources to enhance their career preparedness.

The Relationship Between Parenting Styles with Career Decision Making Difficulties in Class XII Students at The Laboratory Development High School of Padang State University

This study aims to determine the relationship between Parenting Styles and Career Decision-Making Difficulties in Class XII Students at UNP Laboratory Development High School. Parenting Styles are ways of parenting used in raising a child that are likely to have an impact on the child's future success in romantic relationships, peers, and parenting. Career Decision-Making Difficulties are a condition that inhibits individuals from making decisions about future careers, not being able to determine careers, and not being able to determine career decisions that are suitable for themselves. This study uses quantitative methods with a research design using quantitative correlation. The population in this study were XII grade students at UNP Laboratory Development High School with a total subject of 142 students. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Data collection tools use Parenting Styles and Career Decision-Making Difficulties scales. Data analysis using product moment correlation coefficient. The results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between Parenting Styles and Career Decision-Making Difficulties in Class XII Students at UNP Laboratory Development High School (r = 0.060; p = 0.0482).

DIAGNOSIS OF CAREER READINESS AMONG SENIOR UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATE STUDENTS: DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, RESULTS OF CONFIRMATORY EXPERIMENT

This study delves into the intricate landscape of career decision-making, transcending the conventional job selection paradigm to encompass a holistic understanding of oneself, an awareness of potential vocations, and insights into developmental trajectories. Conducted at Toraighyrov University in the Kazakhstan, the research engaged 310 participants, comprising 215 undergraduates and 95 graduate students. Spanning humanities and STEM fields. Key findings emphasize the critical need for tailored interventions, including a specialized career course targeting information utilization skills and self-awareness. The proposed enhancement of one-on-one career counseling sessions aims to empower students with lifelong skills for effective self-management. Employing the Career Decision-making Difficulties Questionnaire (and the Six Phases of Career Decision-making Questionnaire, the study delineates the six phases of career decision-making, shedding light on significant challenges that serve as prognostic indicators of career readiness motivation. A noteworthy finding reveals that 43% of fourth-year undergraduates and 47% of graduate students are positioned in the pivotal fourth phase, representing a fundamental competency for those embarking on their professional journeys. Furthermore, the study underscores the rarity of achieving the sixth phase, symbolizing a fully determined career choice, with only 15% of graduate-level respondents and 7% of undergraduates reaching this advanced level of decision-making prowess

Career Decision-Making Difficulties: Why Exploration Alone Is Not Enough for High School Students

Career Decision-Making Difficulties: Why Exploration Alone Is Not Enough for High School Students

Effects of a career education classroom course on high school students' career management competencies and career orientation in Hungary

AbstractSeveral researchers have highlighted the need to strengthen school-based career education in Hungary. After reviewing the international literature on similar programs, this study reports on the impact of an innovative, multi-method career education course. It aimed to support Hungarian high school (ISCED 344) students in grades 10–11 in making decisions on further education and career choices, and in dealing with related uncertainties and difficulties, mainly through developing career management competence. Using a quasi-experimental design, the intervention group of 92 students showed significantly better results on half of the 20 career orientation variables assessed six months after the end of the intervention of 12 three-quarter-hour sessions, with low effect sizes compared to the pre-intervention assessment, and the 96-student control group. In addition to a self-developed questionnaire, the CDDQ Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire; and the CFI Career Factors Inventory were used. The effectiveness of the intervention was independent of factors such as gender, age, academic performance, and parental education. The study concludes with the suggestion that an enhanced version of the course could be an officially recommended supplementary career education program in Hungarian high schools.

Career Development Support, Career-Related Internet Information Search and Usefulness, and Career Decision-Making Difficulties in 12th Grade Students in Ontario

Career Development Support, Career-Related Internet Information Search and Usefulness, and Career Decision-Making Difficulties in 12th Grade Students in Ontario

The Impact of Self-Efficacy on Career Choices of Generation Z: The Mediating Role of Decision-Making Difficulties in DKI Jakarta

The Generation Z population is the largest demographic group in Indonesia currently entering the workforce. However, data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) indicates that youth unemployment remains a critical issue in the employment sector. The increasing open unemployment rate among Generation Z can be attributed to an imbalance between labor demand and supply, as well as career decision-making processes during school or university periods. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing OUR among Generation Z, specifically through the career decision-making process before entering the workforce. Furthermore, this research examines the influence of Self-Efficacy in Career Decision-Making on Career Decisions through the mediating variable of Career Decision-Making Difficulties. The methodology employed is a survey, with data collected via questionnaires distributed to 104 respondents who meet the study criteria. The instruments used include the Career Decision Scale (CDS), the short-form Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE-SF), and the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). The findings reveal an indirect influence of Self-Efficacy in Career Decision-Making on Career Decisions, mediated by Career Decision-Making Difficulties among Generation Z individuals entering the workforce in DKI Jakarta.

Professional identity, psychological flexibility and career decision-making difficulties among Chinese college graduating students

Professional identity, psychological flexibility and career decision-making difficulties among Chinese college graduating students

Goal Commitment as Mediator of Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Career Decision Difficulties among Vocational High School Students

Vocational high school students were provided with a curriculum designed to facilitate their transition into the workforce. Elicitation studies have indicated that vocational high school students experience difficulties in making career decisions. The internship program is designed to enhance students' emotional intelligence and goal commitment, thereby preventing career decision-making difficulties. This research aims to investigate the mediating effect of goal commitment in the relationship between emotional intelligence and career decision-making difficulties. This quantitative correlational research was conducted in a vocational high school in Bogor with a total of 173 participants using a self-report questionnaire of CDDQ, TEIQue-SF, and HWK Scale. Mediation analysis was processed using Hayes PROCESS. Results showed that goal commitment plays a partial mediation role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and career decision-making difficulties (c’ = -0.19, p < 0.001; c = -0.25, p < 0.001). This research will also present the limitations and suggestions for future study.

Effect of purpose-based career coaching on career decision-making

To enhance coaching experiences in career development, diverse approaches must be developed and tested. This study’s objective was to determine the effectiveness of a purpose-based career coaching framework on career decision-making difficulties. In this study, randomized experimental conditions and interviews were combined. A theoretical sampling procedure was used for a period of two years to generate samples for the study. A total of 187 youths were recruited, but 78 did not meet the study criteria, while 29 declined to take part. A sample of 80 youths met the study criteria and completed all phases of the study. Twelve one-to-one sessions, aligning with the Pb-CC framework, covered core techniques such as reimagining, spiritualizing, self-discovery, career exploration, identifying, and matching. Qualitative data was collected using a researcher-developed interview protocol, consisting of three open-ended questions such as: “How would you describe the meaning or purpose of your life?; What is the category of career that relates to your purpose?; and What do you believe about purpose and career?” In addition, Career Decision-Making Scale (CDDS) was used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which includes the organization of data, the identification and development of themes, the saturation of themes, and the presentation of themes. At the end of the intervention, participants successfully identified their purpose and skillfully matched it with suitable careers. The effect of purpose-based career coaching has been found to be significant on career decision making. These findings bear practical significance for career counselling, policy implementation, industrialization, research and career development.

MENGATASI KESULITAN DALAM MENGAMBIL KEPUTUSAN KARIR MENGGUNAKAN PENDEKATAN TRAIT AND FACTOR

The purpose of the research conducted was to find factors that cause students to experience difficulties in career decision making and help overcome difficulties in career decision making. This research uses a trait and factor approach. This type of research is qualitative case study. The research subjects were students of class XI electronics and XII graphical production at SMK N 1 Kalinyamatan. The data collection techniques used are observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The data analysis used is flow data analysis or flow (flow model analysis). The results of the study prove that the application of the Trait and Factor approach with the problem of difficulty in making student career decisions is effective in dealing with these problems. The problems of counselee I and counselee II have the same causal factors, which are differences of opinion with parents and the family economy and not knowing their talents and interests and not knowing about the world of work. The implementation of the trait and factor approach to the problem can be handled well, the counselee can make career decisions about his future and understand the consequences of the choices he makes.

Profiles of Career Indecision: A Person-Centered Approach with Italian Late Adolescents

Choosing career paths in today’s contemporary labor market complexity is becoming more and more challenging for adolescents and young people. Career indecision could take over, and assessing its facets could guide career interventions to support the career decision-making process. To create increasingly tailored career guidance interventions, using a person-centered approach, this study aimed to understand whether profiles of late adolescents based on their career decision-making difficulties might be circumscribed. A total of 776 Italian late adolescents took part in this study. The assessment of career decision-making difficulties was conducted through the Career Decision-Making Questionnaire (CDDQ). To determine the optimal number of profiles, a Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) using the stepwise approach was used. Moreover, a multinomial logistic regression was conducted to study whether school grade and sex predicted profile membership. LPA revealed a four-profile model: “Lower Indecision” (Profile 1, 39%), “High Indecision” (Profile 2, 23%), “Very High Indecision” (Profile 3, 7%) and “Moderate Indecision” (Profile 4, 31%). Being enrolled in the last year of high school significantly predicted belonging to Profile 2 and Profile 3. Practical implications were discussed in light of these findings.

Development and validation of career decision making proficiency scale

The purpose of the present research was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Career Decision Making Proficiency Scale (CDMPS). The new tool amalgamates various conceptual domains of career exploration process and validates its usage for students and young adults (N=565). The researcher used a survey research design that involved the theoretical evaluation by experts, mandating two subscale divisions for the original 40 items. A deductive approach was considered for the scale development. The content validity assessment by means of CVR- Lawshe’s Test, Fleiss’ Kappa statistics, and the CVI-proportion agreement method retained 34 items. R Studio software was used for dimension reduction techniques and inter-factor bi-variate correlations. The results of the item analysis confirmed 30 items clustered into five dormant constructs. The reliability coefficients of the two sub-scales were found to be high (α= 0.80 and 0.87). Furthermore, the exploratory factor analysis explained 52.45 percent and 50.99 percent of total variance, confirming the factorial internal structural validity of the two sub-scales, respectively. The scale can be administered by career and school counsellors to guide students with their career decisions, to assess career decision difficulties faced by weak students and potential dropouts or repeaters, and to assess students’ confidence, motivation, and abilities in handling problematic situations at the time of deciding a career path.

Psychometric Properties of Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire: Lithuanian Version

Valid and reliable methods are needed to assess the difficulties young people often face in making career-related decisions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to test the psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, discriminant, convergent and structural validities) of the Lithuanian version of the Career decision-making difficulties questionnaire (Gati et al., 1996) in a sample of Lithuanian students (N = 255). The results revealed that the Lithuanian version of Career decision-making difficulties has good internal consistency. Adequate convergent validity was confirmed by finding statistically significant positive relationships with indecisiveness, and discriminant validity was confirmed by finding statistically significant negative relationships with career self-efficacy. Finally, structural validity was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, which revealed that a 10-factor structure was the most appropriate. The results of the research showed that the Lithuanian version of the Career decision-making difficulties questionnaire is a suitable measurement tool, but further studies on the evaluation of the scale are needed.

The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Career Decision-Making Difficulties: Mediation Role of Career Adaptability of University Students

Rapid changes in the global marketplace and invisible pressures have made career decision-making challenging for students. This article explores the relationship between emotional intelligence and career decision difficulties, as well as the mediating role of career adaptability, in a cross-sectional study conducted among students. A total of 265 students from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Mage = 19.99; SD = 1.46) were randomly selected and participated through an online questionnaire. The study employed the Career Decision-making Difficulties Questionnaire, which includes 34 questions to assess career decision-making difficulties; the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, comprising 16 items to measure emotional intelligence; and the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale - Short Form with 12 items to evaluate career adaptability. The findings reveal two primary outcomes: (1) emotional intelligence significantly negatively impacts career decision difficulties (effect = -0.15, p < .05, 95% CI = [-0.29, -0.01]), and (2) career adaptability significantly mediates this relationship (effect = -0.11, 95% CI = [-0.20, -0.02]). These results suggest that enhancing emotional intelligence and career adaptability may facilitate improved career decision-making among students.

Identifying subgroups of career decision-making difficulties in Chinese college students: a latent profile analysis

Identifying subgroups of career decision-making difficulties in Chinese college students: a latent profile analysis

Exploring the Impact of College Students' Future Time Insights on Career Decision-making Difficulties: A Big Data Technology-based Approach

Career decision-making difficulty is an important factor affecting the smooth employment of college students. Big data technology provides college students with more comprehensive, accurate and personalized career decision support, which helps them make more informed career choices and maximize their personal career development. Previous studies have shown that the Internet and digitization have significant information effect, which have important influence on the improvement of future time insight and career decision-making difficulties. Under the background of digitization, to explore the relationship between future time perspective and career decision-making difficulties of college students based on the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, and to investigate the role of self-efficacy. 1092 college students were investigated by using the Scales. The result shows that the future time perspective predicts college students’ career decision-making difficulties negatively; Self-efficacy plays a mediation role between future time perspective and career decision-making difficulties. The research reveals the mechanism of future time perspective on college students’ career decision-making difficulties.

Effect of Social Support on Career Decision-Making Difficulties: The Chain Mediating Roles of Psychological Capital and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy.

This present study explores the effect of social support on career decision-making difficulties, with the chain mediation of psychological capital and career decision-making self-efficacy. A total of 770 college students were recruited to complete the survey, which included a social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, psychological capital scale, and career decision-making difficulties scales. Significant correlations were found between social support, career decision-making difficulties, psychological capital, and career decision making self-efficacy. Path analysis indicated that the direct effect of social support on career decision-making difficulty was non-significant; social support affected career decision-making difficulties indirectly through not only the mediating effect of psychological capital but also through the chain mediation of psychological capital and career decision-making self-efficacy. Overall, the results show that social support could exert an effect on career decision-making difficulties through the mediational chains of career decision-making self-efficacy and psychological capital; the implications of this are discussed.